Aaron Mendelson

Data Reporter

Aaron Mendelson works on KPCC's data journalism and interactive projects.

At KPCC, he has used data to shine a light on the avalanche of outside money in local politics, spiking firearms sales, Los Angeles' bicycle infrastructure, and police militarization. He helped build a unique database on officer-involved shootings in Los Angeles County for KPCC's Officer Involved project.

Aaron joined KPCC in 2014 and became a member of the station's investigative team in 2017

He holds a master's degree from the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. Prior to joining KPCC, his work had been published and aired by Reuters, Marketplace, KQED and Mother Jones. He got his start in journalism at KFAI in Minneapolis.

Homelessness is on the rise in Los Angeles County, up 12 percent in the last two years. And more and more homeless people are sleeping in vehicles, including RVs and campers.
KPCC mapped the areas of L.A. County that are home to people living in those vehicles.

Many eyes have turned to the manicured lawns, swimming pools and fountains in wealthy communities, with the assumption that wealthy Californians use more than their share of the state's water. So do they?